Lengthy delays for Clare motorists heading to the National Ploughing Championships

THE National Ploughing Championships are underway in County Laois but many of those heading from Clare have yet to arrive at the site in Ratheniska.

Status yellow rain warnings, issued by Met Éireann, are currently in place and there are reports of lengthy traffic delays on approach roads from Clare and elsewhere.

Some of the delays are said to be in excess of 30 minutes.

Up to 300,000 people are expected to attend the National Ploughing Championships - Europe's largest outdoor event - which continues until Thursday.

Those who are attending from the Banner County are being advised to travel to exit 17 on the N7 and to follow the Brown Route.